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Illinois Football: Illini in the top 4 for 2023 defensive back

ByRees Woodcock|
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 02: The Illinois Fighting Illini helmet on the field in the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 02: The Illinois Fighting Illini helmet on the field in the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Illinois football moved a step closer to adding to their class of 2023 on Saturday afternoon.

The Illini currently have a solid group committed for 2023. Bret Bielema has been able to secure the No. 56 class in the nation as of right now, and that is with just 14 commitments. Adding another talented player to the mix will only help bolster the class of 2023 for the Orange and Blue. That player could end up being Kamaurri McKinley.

McKinley is a 6-foot, 174-pound safety from Lakeland High School and resides in Lakeland, Florida. He is rated as a three-star recruit and ranked as the No. 113 safety in the class of 2023. He is also the No. 198 player coming out of the state of Florida.

Illinois started to recruit McKinley back in late April. They extended the defensive back a scholarship, and since then, they have been building a strong relationship. On Saturday, that relationship went to the next level as McKinley decided to narrow his recruitment down to just four teams. The four programs to make the cut included South Florida, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, and Illinois.


Kamaurri McKinley would add to an already scary Illinois football secondary.

The fact Illinois was able to make the cut for McKinley is promising. Adding another safety, or defensive back, to the class of 2023 would be great for the program.

Illinois currently has three defensive backs committed for the class of 2023. When playing a 3-4 defense – or some version of a 3-4 defense – the defensive back becomes more important. That is why this coaching staff is wanting to bring in so many talented players for the defensive secondary.

If McKinley does pick the Illini, that would give us four defensive backs for the class of 2023. They would then join the three defensive backs Illinois brought in from the 2022 class. That is quite the haul for Bielema in just two years of recruiting.

Overall, I love the fact we are in the running for McKinley. This kid has a ton of talent, and Illinois will get the most out of his college career. Let’s continue building the secondary and have one of the best defenses in the country.

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